Local school boards need a lesson on democracy.
When watching the last school board meeting of the Jefferson Parish Public School system, I could not help but think that elected officials do not fully understand their most fundamental role in office. That is to listen to their constituents.
Despite the overwhelming community outcry over the closing of schools, the Jefferson Parish School system decided to stand with the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce and business interests over the students and education workers, in an effort which resulted in the closing of cherished neighborhood schools.
The voices of students, parents and teachers were powerful. The voices were clear signs that public schools are valued in our community. The voices sent a clear and powerful message to our elected school board officials, yet the schools closed anyhow.
People increasingly do not believe in or trust our political system due to decisions such as these. It is no wonder that so many of our kids question why participating in the political process matters.
As a history teacher, I stress each day with my students the value of democracy and engaging in the community. Elected officials are supposed to listen to their constituents, not the advice of small groups of people or consulting firms which have a lot of money.
Is our community or country truly a democracy? Or are we a plutocracy masking as a democracy?
Former White House press secretary Bill Moyers once said, “Plutocracy too long tolerated leaves democracy on the auction block, subject to the highest bidder.”
If we as a community do not organize and call out our elected officials, we only will see further erosion, destruction and closures of the community treasures and institutions that we love, like our local community public schools.
Leave a Reply